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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press